U.S. Department of Agriculture: Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant

Deadline: July 30, 2018

The Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) Program’s primary objective is to provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups through cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers. A socially-disadvantaged group is defined as a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities.

Grant funds must be used to provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups in rural areas. Examples of technical assistance include: feasibility studies, business plans, strategic planning, and leadership training.

Amount: A total of $3,000,000 is available to make awards that range up to $175,000 each.

Eligibility: Cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers that serve socially-disadvantaged groups and where a majority of the board of directors or governing board is comprised of individuals who are members of socially-disadvantaged groups. The cooperative or Center can be located in any area, but the groups assisted must be located in an eligible rural area.